Tapping-knife for rubber-trees and the like.



O. A. LESHER.

TAPPING KNIFE FOR RUBBER TR APPLICATION FILED APR.

PATENTED NOV. 5, 1907.

BBS AND THE LIKE,

I19 l/eo'io 1* M, J. 1 W

UNITED smrns Arnvr nines.

CHARLES A. LESHER, OF SOCONUSCO, MEXICO, ASSIGNOR TO LA ZACUALPA RUBBER PLAN- TATION COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

TAPPING-KNIFE FOR RUBBER- TREES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

Application filed April 25; 1.907. Serial No. 370,202.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. Lnsnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Soconusco, in the State of Chiapas and Republic of Mexico, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tapping-Knives for Rubber-Trees and the Like, of which the following is a specification. I

The present invention relates to a knife adapted for cutting or slitting the barks of rubber and other trees for the purpose of draining therefrom the gum or sapthe object of the invention being to provide a knife by means of which the above operation can be performed easily and quickly, and so as to produce a clean cut in i the bark.

A further object of the invention is to provide in such a knife means for adjusting the cutter for trees having different thicknesses of bark.

In the accompanying drawing, .Figure 1 is a side view of the device; Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the upper portion thereof; Fig. 3 is an endview thereof; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates the handle of the knife, to the sides whereof at the cutting end are bolted, as shown at 2, the ends 3 of the U-shaped cutting blade 4, the lower or inner edge 5 of which is the cutting edge. It is an important feature of this invention that the bevel of this edge should be on the outside, as shown. If beveled on the inside, it will not operate successfully.

In order to adjust the depth of-the cut there is provided a gage bar 6 formed of spring metal, secured at one end to the handle, as shown at '7, the other end extending between the sides of the U-shaped cutting blade and being rounded convexly towards the center of said cutter, and there is also provided a screw 8, which is screwed through the handle, its end bearing against the spring gage bar and pressing it outwards so that said rounded portion lies at the required distance I claim 1. A knife of the character described comprising a handle, a substantially U-shaped cutter blade extending transversely to the handle, and having" a sharp lower edge, and a gage bar directly secured at its lower end only to the handle. the upper end extending between the sides of the Ushaped cutter blade. and being" rounded convexly to the center of the U-shaped blade. and a screw for adjusting the distance of said upper end from said center, substantially as described.

2. A knife ot' the character described comprising a bandle a U-shaped cutter blade extending transversely thereto. the edge nearest the center of the handle being the cutting edge. said edge being beveled on its outer side, a spring bar secured at one end of the handle, the free end extending between the sides of the II-shaped cutter blade. and being rounded convexly towards the center of the cutter blade. a screw screwed through the handle and bearing against said spring gage bar to adjust the depth 'of the cut, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES A. LESHER.

Witnesses:

Gnonen W. LANE, A. V. BRADSHAW. 

